Company Logo

• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Depression Treatment For Elderly People

Depression in older adults can worsen their health and increase the chance of death. It is crucial that they see their doctor regularly to ensure that they receive the appropriate treatment.

Depression can be difficult to recognize in older adults due to a variety of reasons. Some of these include not diagnosing depression symptoms as a result of aging or masking the signs of depression by co-existing medical conditions, a lack of support from others and stigma.

Antidepressants

In most cases, the first step in treatment is to start taking antidepressants. These medications boost neurotransmitters in the brain, which can aid in improving mood and reducing depression symptoms. They are usually used in combination with psychotherapy. It could take several weeks before they start to take effect.

It is essential to examine the depression of patients who are elderly for co-morbidities and to treat them appropriately. Many medical conditions such as strokes, heart disease and chronic pain can trigger depression in elderly patients. They may also be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of some medication.

The stigma of aging keeps people from seeking medical help to address their emotional issues. Depression-related symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments, like discomfort, eating disorders related to dentures and disturbed sleep patterns. These symptoms can be exacerbated by a lack of social support and are difficult to communicate, particularly with family members.

The vascular depression which occurs in older adults is more prevalent. This is due to a decline of blood flow to the head. As compared to other forms of depression, vascular depressive disorder is associated with a more severe cognitive impairment, as well as a poorer response to treatments. This kind of depression can be treated with a number of medications such as SSRIs SNRIs TCAs.

Medications used to treat depression in elderly patients must be individualized because they are more susceptible to adverse reactions. Doctors should start with lower doses and then increase the dose gradually to account for age-related pharmacokinetic differences. They should also take into account the effect that other medications and supplements can have on the patient's response to antidepressants.

It is essential that doctors educate patients and relatives about the symptoms of depression and treatment options. This will help patients understand their condition and stick to their treatment regimen. It is also important to let patients know about the time lag for the effects of antidepressants.

A thorough history is crucial for evaluating depression in the elderly. This should include the date when depression first began to manifest, its relationship to other life stressors, previous episodes of depression, and any underlying medical or physical illness. It is crucial to determine if depression symptoms are caused by medications or other health issues like menopausal or seasonal affective disorder.

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, helps the brain to perform a sort of reset that helps reduce depression symptoms. It is usually prescribed for those who don't respond to best medication to treat anxiety and depression or whose depression is severe and life threatening, such as someone who is suicidal or a person with an underlying medical condition that could be dangerous. Most insurance companies and Medicare will cover ECT. It is usually performed in the hospital setting. You'll receive an general anesthetic as the procedure is completed and you will not feel any discomfort during the treatment. Six ECT treatments may be required to treat post stroke depression treatment.

There may be confusion for a few hours or days after the treatment. It is also possible to forget things right after or during ECT. However, these issues are generally temporary. It could take several months before you start remembering things again. If you have a history of heart disease, you could be at increased risk for complications resulting from ECT. Patients with preexisting heart issues should steer clear of ECT unless their physician recommends it.

A recent study has compared the risk of complications to the heart during ECT in patients with and without any heart disease pre-existing. Researchers discovered that the rate of complications was significantly higher in those who had already existing heart disease. Researchers suggested that a decrease in the use ECT for elderly patients with underlying heart issues could reduce rate of complications.

ECT is effective in a wide range of depressive disorders, such as bipolar and unipolar depression, as well as mania. It can also treat other mental health problems like schizophrenia with psychosis that is caused by antiparkinsonian medications. It is also used to how treat anxiety and depression (go to Ai Db) dementia that is severe, especially when it is caused by a life-threatening illness.

If you're considering ECT, you and your doctor must do a thorough psychiatric evaluation prior to undergoing the procedure. Your doctor should go through your medical records in order to determine if you suffer from any medical issues that could influence your response to treatment. If you have heart disease or other heart condition, your doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram (EKG) or chest X-ray prior to receiving ECT.

Psychotherapy

It can be challenging to recognize and treat depression in the elderly. The stigma associated with mental illness can make it difficult for seniors to admit that they are suffering from depression. They may also be too proud to seek help and are afraid of being a burden to their families. Depression can also increase the risk of heart disease and can make it harder to recover from other illnesses. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression in people who are older.

Depression is a prevalent disorder for the elderly, but many of these patients are not diagnosed or treated. This is due to a variety reasons, including misdiagnosis and inadvertent ignorance by healthcare professionals. Patients may experience symptoms like an absence of interest, apathy in everyday activities, sleep disorders and recurrent thoughts about death. These symptoms are commonly attributed to aging and dementia, but are often caused by depression.

A thorough evaluation should include an exhaustive history, as well as a review of the patient's response to previous treatments for depression uk as well as laboratory tests. A comprehensive battery should include liver function tests, haemograms and renal function tests as well as urine analysis. Various investigations like thyroid function test folate, thyroid function tests and vitamin B12 levels should be conducted in case of a possible nutritional deficiency as these can contribute to the onset, persistence and prolongation of depression in the elderly.

The initial phase of treating depression should be centered on achieving remission, and should be adapted to the individual's needs. A psychotherapy program must be used in conjunction with antidepressant medications. The psychotherapy can be short-term, but it can be a long-term. It could focus on addressing overt behaviour and cognition or it could involve learning to understand and change deep-rooted emotional and relationship problems.

In the maintenance and continuation phase the same antidepressant should be used as in the acute phase. This should be done with a careful monitoring the remission rates and relapse rates. It is important to monitor the relapse rates of elderly patients, since they are more likely to have a relapse.

Social support

Social support is a crucial component of mental well-being. People who have strong social networks have a lower chance of developing depression and are more able to deal with stress. It is also essential for maintaining an immune system that is strong. This is especially applicable to older adults, who experience higher levels of stress and fewer healthy strategies for coping. This may explain why social support is more important for older adults than for younger adults.

In fact the absence of support from family and friends is linked to poor health outcomes for older adults. It has been demonstrated that social support can help buffer the impact of negative life events, like the loss of a loved one or an illness of a serious nature. It can also have a positive effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA) and noradrenergic systems. It is therefore crucial to determine and correct any issues in this area to improve a patient's quality of life.

A healthcare provider can offer social support in many ways to an older person who is depressed. Psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive treatment are just a few of the options. These treatments can improve the quality of life and mood, as well as increase independence. The quality of care the patient receives will determine the level of their recovery.

Social support is defined as both instrumental and emotional support and the sense of belonging and a sense of belonging. Emotional support includes the ability to talk to others about issues and feelings, instrumental support is the capability to get help with work, and informational support is the ability to obtain guidance from an authoritative source.

There are many types of social support available in Vietnam that include immediate family members, friends, neighbors and professional aids. In the case of mental health treatment social support has been shown to improve the quality of life of geriatric patients, and also reduce mortality and morbidity from suicide and medical illnesses. It is also associated with lower costs for psychiatric and health services. This is a major benefit for both the private and public healthcare system.